Guard still likely to miss opener

Rehab is going well for Rob Lowery; team hopes to have him back at 100% by conference play.

London Warren is still weeks away from full-speed action after suffering a tear of his right patellar tendon in February.

Staff Photo by Teesha McClam London Warren is still weeks away from full-speed action after suffering a tear of his right patellar tendon in February.

ENLARGE PHOTO

By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 12:52 AM Saturday, August 29, 2009

DAYTON — Rob Lowery is making progress from a serious knee injury suffered last season, but he likely won’t be 100 percent for Dayton’s opener this year against Creighton on Nov. 14.

The senior point guard — who tore his right patellar tendon in the Feb. 11 Xavier game — has been able to do some stationary drills. But while his surgery was a success, he’s still weeks away from full-speed action.

The Flyers have just one other true point guard in the program in senior London Warren.

“We were always shooting for him to be ready to go and pain-free by the first game of the season — knowing he’d not be in full basketball shape by then,” UD trainer Nate Seymour said.

“Having him playing minutes and him playing like the old Rob Lowery is two different things. It takes time. We’re hoping to have the old Rob Lowery back by the conference (in early January). Any sooner than that would be gravy.”

The Flyers weren’t quite the same during Lowery’s absence. He was named to the Chicago Invitational Challenge all-tournament team, and he supplied the squad with swagger and much-needed scoring punch.

UD was 22-3 with him and 5-5 without him.

“Basketball has gotten me to where I want to be, and not being able to play is tough,” said Lowery, who was fourth on the team in scoring with a 7.5 average. “But I think I’m a tough person. My teammates know I’m tough. I’ve just got to keep working at it, and it will come back.”

UD coach Brian Gregory has been pleased with Lowery’s diligence.

“He’s as dedicated as any athlete I’ve ever been around,” Gregory said. “As a coach, you just hope and pray that’s rewarded. And you have to do that (rehab) without the guarantee it will be, and that’s always a challenge for kids nowadays.

“But if anybody can do it (make a full comeback), he’s proven during these last six months, he’s a kid who can.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com

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